​Seven Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Dr.Jill
Adrenal fatigue is often caused by excessive stress, which can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional, or spiritual stress may be a major factor, too. Financial, family, or other stress may also contribute to burnout. Even infections can play a role. You need to identify the stressor causing your symptoms to properly treat adrenal fatigue.

 1. Nutritional Deficiencies
Many people today have subclinical deficiencies of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, zinc, and other trace elements. Our adrenals require vital nutrients in order to properly function. On top of that, when under stress, your need for nutrients is even greater. 

Sadly, the standard American diet is at many times lacking in micronutrients. Incorporating whole, unprocessed foods into your diet gives your adrenals the macro- and micronutrients they require to properly function. 

Things we ingest that stress the adrenals include:

• Refined carbohydrates
• Processed foods, additives, and chemicals
• Genetically modified ingredients
• Corn, soy, and canola
• Foods low in protein
• Excessive sugar
• Foods low in quality fats and high in unhealthy fats
• Poor quality water (affects the oxygenation of your tissues and makes your body work that much harder to adequately perfuse your vital organs and tissues.

Reasons why many diets are low in nutrients the adrenal require include:

• Produce grown in nutrient-depleted soils
• Soil today contains a fraction of the magnesium present in soil hundreds of years ago 
• Unhealthy eating habits, such as eating in the car or on the run, further diminish the value derived from food and our ability to digest it
• Allergic reactions to foods, such as wheat and dairy products, can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients as well

Foods to eat to support your adrenal glands include:

• Healthy fats
• Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, ghee, and butter
• Protein 
• Eggs, meat, poultry, and fish
• Healthy carbohydrates
• Potatoes, beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Dark greens, purple cabbage, red apples, green kiwis, green beans, squash, etc.

 
2. Environmental Toxins
Toxic chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Every day, we’re exposed to thousands of chemicals in air, water, and food. Check out these 10 tips to decrease your toxin load.

Common environmental toxins are found in:

• Dental products
• Opt for natural, organic toothpaste
• Beauty products
• Avoid products with parabens, phthalates, ammonia, and sodium lauryl sulfate
• Cleaning products
• Opt for natural, organic cleaners
• Over-the-counter and prescribed medications   

Toxins may also be generated internally due to microbial imbalances in the gut and impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it may ferment in the intestines, producing harmful substances that are absorbed through the intestinal lining. A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. 

However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impair the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

 
3. Chronic Infections
Chronic infections contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also trigger inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones cortisol and cortisone. Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth and gums, though infections can be located anywhere in the body. 

One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue are intestinal infections that give rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur subclinically with no obvious signs at all. Infections in the gut, including giardia, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal dysbiosis, and h. pylori, are just a few that may contribute to adrenal dysfunction.

 
4. Stimulants or Excessive Exercise
Stimulants damage the adrenal glands by pushing the secretion of stress hormones and adrenaline. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are among the most common culprits. Over time, this depletes the body of essential neurotransmitters. 

Other less obvious, but no less important, stimulants may include:

• Feelings of anger
• Arguments
• Loud music
• Tragic news
• Movies with suspense or excessive violence

Other activities that may act as stimulants include: 

• Vigorous exercise 
• Recreational drug use
• High-risk sports
• Surfing, diving, or extreme climbing if done in excess may deplete the adrenals

Most of these activities provide a temporary “high,” which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. Over time, however, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.  

 5. Toxic Emotions
Uncontrolled emotions are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habitual worry, anger, or fear. This applies particularly to high strung, Type A, nervous individuals as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout. “Don’t worry, be happy” is a great prescription for adrenal fatigue. 

Prayer and meditation release calming neurotransmitters. They also take the body from a state of fight or flight into the parasympathetic mode of relaxation, which is extremely helpful in healing adrenal fatigue. In addition, cultivating an attitude of gratitude can do wonders for your adrenals.

 
6. Stress
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals. An excessive workload, long hours, lack of sleep, or emotional stress are common. Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers, and appliances—such as televisions, cell phones, wearable electronics, microwave ovens, and computers—give off strong EMF fields that can be stressful to our bodies.

 
7. Other Causes
Other stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue include:

• Chronic illness
• Chronic pain
• Gluten intolerance
• Malabsorption and poor digestion
• Surgery
• Sleep deprivation
• Excessive caffeine intake